It was also decided by all 72 National League clubs that the timing is right for the game to Put Football First and it has to be immediate, given that 2025 is the year that the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is scheduled to come into force. Whilst the IFR’s scope does not cover promotion and relegation matters, its overall remit does encompass the National League and EFL.
National League Chair Jack Pearce MBE said: “This Summer, the Independent Football Regulator is scheduled to be introduced. Their overall stated objectives include providing financial sustainability, economic resilience and preserving the heritage of the sport.
“In terms of heritage, National League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country. The majority of these clubs are over a century old and part of the fabric of their communities. An extra promotion place for these Clubs into the EFL would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters – plus clubs in the leagues below. We simply can’t wait any longer for parity within the game.
“As well as increased financial stability, 3UP would mean a fluid football pyramid where teams can win promotion from the bottom to the top fairly. It will give more opportunity to clubs relegated from EFL League 2 to ‘bounce back’. We have consulted with the leagues below ours in Step 3 who are also supportive of this change – as their clubs could benefit from this change in the long term.
“We have been consistently told that the EFL support our 3UP position in principle but are reluctant to progress any changes whilst they are consulting with the IFR and Premier League (PL) regards their own redistribution of football income.
“However, we believe the 3UP campaign goal is vital to the overall health of the game and the government’s objectives – therefore it should be as high on the agenda as any other matter this year. Otherwise, the National League’s needs are being overlooked during the IFR process, not least because the specific issues between the EFL and PL could potentially take years to reach a conclusion.
“Whilst we recognise and respect the EFL’s verbal support for the National League on three promotions, our clubs have now made it abundantly clear that they see no reason for a further delay on the official process. Rick Parry, the EFL Chair, has often said that ‘the EFL should look down as well as up’ so we’d now like that to actually happen.”
National League CEO Mark Ives added: “Since the Football Conference was formed in 1979, our clubs have seldom come together in such a unanimous way as they have done on this issue.
“The National League has had two promotional places since 2003, which have helped transform the fortunes of countless local football clubs and enabled fairytale stories such as Luton Town’s ascent from the National League – through the football pyramid – into the Premier League in 2023.
“Promotions have benefitted the vast majority of our clubs during this 21-year period, but a third spot – bringing the National League into line with the rest of the game – would be completely transformative.
“The National League currently has 15 clubs that are former EFL clubs. These 15 clubs, along with the other clubs in the league, are being disadvantaged by this unfair structure. They are being prevented promotion on sporting merit that they would otherwise deserve and benefit from under 3UP.
“Alongside the National League Trust, the EFL in the Community programme has done great work over many years making positive contributions across the country. We see 3UP as an obvious next step to inspire these communities. A new independent fiscal study has recently been commissioned which will underline the financial and social benefits to the clubs and their communities – should the National League gain three promotions. So, 3UP isn’t just an important matter for our clubs but for the communities in which they serve.
“We are privileged to work together in the best football structure in the world and together we have the opportunity to make it even better. We are grateful to Rick Parry and the EFL for ‘looking down as well as up’ and hope they will now turn those words into action and support 3UP, so it passes the vote at their AGM this Summer.”
This is what fans are saying as all 72 National League clubs unite in a plea to the EFL demanding for 3 up 3 down…
@AngusPaterson10: 100% agree. But if you need unanimous approval from all EFL clubs to pass this then sadly it’s not gonna happen.
@JordyUnsure: YES! @EFL make sure this happens, it would be a huge step in the right direction for English football!
@MarkHar865: This needs to happen and is long overdue. Absolutely no doubt this would improve the standard in League 2!!
@longsden: A letter, so scary. I’d hope that I have anyone but the NL board backing my corner if they allow the EPL to insert digits for a nonsense cup comp but don’t get 3up included in the deal.
@sethmoxey: As a Notts fan this would of massively effected us when we were in the national league and I don’t see why this hasn’t been implicated already
@TIMLEWIS1985: I’m sure they are, it’s in their interests to do so. Tbh it probably should happen. But if the EFL told the national league to take a running jump after the board supporting scrapping replays I would not blame them.
@BenStonestreet7: All for this. A change like this is long overdue. National League teams historically do well in League Two when promoted. This move, on paper drives more competition in the National League and at the bottom of League Two
@mlond1985: Happy to get into bed with the Premier League regarding FA Cup replays and work with them, as much as I think it’s a half decent idea you’ve probably pissed the EFL off so won’t get one. Nice work
@NathanAsh66: You know what else would have put football first? If you didnt support the scrapping of FA Cup replays! Albeit this is a great Idea and I’m fully behind this
@samf679:
Fully on board with this
However
Can’t see the league clubs agreeing to it
@TBBodell: The only logical – and long overdue – way forward for the National League and its members. There are 15 former EFL clubs in the National League. It is professional, highly competitive and the fact there are that many proves it. A third promotion spot is only right & fair. #3UP
@TufcChris: Absolutely this. It’s only fair and right.
@alan_martindale: Wicked. About time. Two up and play-offs for 3rd place. ❤ It’s a long slog during these winter months and we owe it to the fans who stand in the freezing cold dreaming of promotion.
@TownReporter17: Great to see this coming into effect as it’s absurd that only 2 teams go up in such difficult leagues. Hopefully the @NorthernPremLge and other @PitchingIn_ leagues can put in a similar request!
@BrentwoodSunLge: Makes sense but if it does get the green light, the play-off system needs to change ie – Two up and the next four play-off. Having a team in with a chance of going up having finished in eighth place makes no sense at all.
@dwoodley1990: Totally agree with the National League clubs. When you also consider how teams have fared over the years in the #EFL they have mainly done well.
@GRTourist: Yes! Get it done! The National League has been a better standard than EFL2 for years. No club has ever been promoted from the National League and come straight down again.
@jack_2831: About time. The national league is no longer a part time league and should definitely have 2 auto promotion spots. Ridiculous that only the champions go up automatically
@forza_notts: Should have happened years ago. Makes the drop less of a trap door for the EFL sides, brings new blood into the league, and promoted NL sides have shown they can compete in the EFL. Has to be done imo.
@james_flynn: Since promotion/relegation was introduced for 1986/87, no team has ever come up from the National League and gone straight back down. While around 1 in 5 goes on and gets back to back promotions. No doubt there is a bottleneck, question is what EFL clubs will want in return.
@KezGoldsworthy: This has been needed for ages and I’m so glad the national league teams have taken a stand. There’s been seasons where there has been high points and haven’t gone up into the football league. This needs to be done. Come On EFL do the right thing
@josheyb03: Long overdue. Should look at the lower leagues as well
@ChrisLukeJones: With this. It’s not the club coming up that’s the issue. It’s the clubs going down that’s the issue. The lack of regulation down there will be what holds this up.
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